River Arts Alliance

Sugarloaf Theatre Presents Auditions for “The Improvibles,” a New Improv Troupe
2023-09-12 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Bluff Country Co-op, 121 W 2nd St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Bluff Country Co-op Community Room | 121 W 2nd St.
linktr.ee/sugarloaftheatre
Sugarloaf Theatre, a Winona-based theatre group in its sophomore year, is excited to announce the launch of a new Improv Troupe, The Improvibles. Auditions to join The Improvibles will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 6:30-7:30 pm at the Bluff Country Co-op. Learn more.

Sounds of the Mississippi River Pool 6
2023-09-10 09:00 - 18:00 | Peter’s Biergarten, 54 E 3rd St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Peter’s Biergarten | 54 E 3rd St.
los.st/pool6/
From September 10th through the 17th, the sounds of the Mississippi River will be projected into Winona’s downtown Biergarten. Two hydrophones submerged in the water near Levee Park, will stream the sounds of the river into the Biergarten space during the day. Learn more.

tracings: a guided creative nature walk, with Sharon Mansur & Alexa Shapiro
2023-09-09 16:00 - 17:30, 2023-09-09 13:00 - 14:30 | MN
Aghaming Park & Flyway Trail | Latsch Island | Winona
Join Winona based dance/interdisciplinary artist Sharon Mansur and the Winona Outdoor Collaborative’s Executive Director Alexa Shapiro for “tracings: a guided creative nature walk” at Aghaming Park and the Flyway Trail, Latsch Island, Winona. This is a guided group stroll that honors the natural environment, and walking as both an everyday shared experience and the artistic expression of tracing an embodied line through a landscape. Free admission, but limited space available. Reservations required by Sept 8th: www.winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com/events/tracings1. Learn more.

Theatre du Mississippi’s 25th Season Sneak Peek
2023-09-08 18:00 - 20:00 | No Name Bar, 252 E 3rd St., Winona, MN, 55987
No Name Bar | 252 E 3rd St.
theatredumiss.org
Theatre du Mississippi is excited to invite you out for an evening of appetizers and drinks as we present to you our shows for this season! We will also have an opportunity for you to voice your opinion regarding our MAYhem Production to close out the show! Ticketing starts at 6 pm and goes until 8 pm. Programming starts at 6:30 pm. Appetizers will be provided. Pre-sale tickets are available for $15 at Eventbrite, Chapter 2 Books, or No Name Bar. Tickets at the door are $20. Learn more.

MCA Open House & Free-4-All
2023-09-07 16:30 - 19:30 | Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, 1164 W 10th St., Winona, MN, United States
Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts | 1164 W Howard (10th) St.
cotterschools.org/mca
Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will hold an Open House and Free-4-All event on Thursday, September 7. Register to try a class for free, or stop in any time between 4:30 and 7:30. Classes include Creative Movement for 3-5 Year Olds; Ballet & Contemporary Combo for 7-12 Year Olds, or 13+; Tap / Hip Hop for 7-12 Year Olds; Intro to Theatre and Improv. Register online at cotterschools.org/mca.

Laureate Writers Series Presents Samuel Hawkins II, Spoken Word Poet
2023-09-05 19:00 | Blue Heron Coffeehouse, 162 W 2nd St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Blue Heron Coffeehouse | 162 W 2nd St.
Samuel Hawkins II, Spoken Word Poet, will read from his work at the Blue Heron Coffeehouse on September 5th. The reading is free and open to the public and will be followed by a book signing and an open mic. Samuel has performed his work at festivals, colleges, and conventions in Tennessee, Kentucky, Washington DC, Tampa Bay, Vero Beach, St. Petersburg, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis. His poetry forces us to see homelessness, sexual abuse, relationships, art, testimonies, love, war, the light within us, our potential, history, and God. This First Tuesday Laureate Writers Series event is co-sponsored by the Maria W. Faust Sonnet Contest and the Blue Heron Coffeehouse.
Learn more.

Family Art Day 2023
2023-09-02 10:00 - 14:00 | Jaycee Pavilion, 340 Lake Park Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Jaycee Pavilion | Lake Park Dr.
riverartsalliance.org/FAD
River Arts Alliance’s ever-popular Family Art Day returns to the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, in the Jaycee Pavilion at Lake Park, Winona. Kids and families of all ages can try out a variety of hands-on arts activities at stations led by local artists. The event is free and open to all. The list of activities and participating artists for this year is now available here.
Presented in partnership with the City of Winona Parks and Recreation Department. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeast Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund. RAA also thanks Hoff Celebration of Life Center for their sponsorship of Family Art Day 2023.
Learn more here.

Watercolor Class with Faye Schoen at WAC
2023-08-25 13:00 - 16:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
Pink coneflowers, also known as echinacea, will be the subject for our next watercolor class with Faye Schoen at the Winona Arts Center on August 25th OR August 26th from 1:00-4:00 pm. Fee for the class is $40 for WAC members and $45 for non-members. Contact Faye directly at fschoen300@gmail.com to register. Fees should be mailed to the Winona Arts Center at least two weeks before class to reserve your place. Learn more.

August Jazz Jam Supports abra-KID-abra
2023-08-20 14:30 - 17:30 | Island City Brewing Company, 65 E Front St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Island City Brewing Company | 65 E Front St.
H3OJazz.com
The Island City Jazz Jams are all about celebrating our community. On Sunday, August 20 from 2:30 – 5:30 pm, H3O Jazz Trio and Island City Brewing Company will dedicate their monthly Jazz Jam fundraiser to abra-KID-abra – a special event celebrating 20 years of Central Lutheran Church Child Care Center serving Winona’s youngest citizens. Island City and H3O will match all donations!
To date, H3O Jazz Trio and Island City Brewing have helped support local nonprofits with over $36,000 in total donations through the generosity of Jazz Jam patrons! The July Jam raised over $1,400 for Winona Volunteer Services. Learn more.

Free Music at Woodlawn
2023-08-19 14:00 - 16:15 | Woodlawn Cemetery, 506 W Lake Blvd., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Woodlawn Cemetery | 506 W Lake Blvd.
All are welcome to attend an outdoor celebration of Woodlawn Cemetery. Enjoy the beautiful grounds and music by three local groups: Winds of Winona (Ryan Ballanger, Ruth Bures, Dr. Frank Bures, and Chris Buswell); Flutistry (Heidi Bryant, Janet Heukeshoven, and Amanda Wenzel); and the Jazz Duo of Margaret Cassidy and Eric Heukeshoven. Musicians will perform near the new historical marker recognizing the 1884 chapel / public mausoleum. This event is sponsored by the McQueen Family. Freewill donations will benefit Woodlawn’s Cemetery Aid 2023 Campaign to maintain the cemetery grounds. Learn more.

Sgraffito Tile Class with Richard Spiller at WAC
2023-08-19 12:00 - 15:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
Richard Spiller, local potter, will present a Sgraffito tile workshop on August 19, 2023 from noon to 3 pm at the Winona Arts Center, 228 East 5th Street. Sgraffito (in Italian, meaning “to scratch”) is a technique produced by applying a drawing to a hard red clay pottery piece and then scratching off parts of the layer to create contrasting images and patterns to reveal the clay color underneath. Cost is $30 for members of WAC and $35 for non-members. To register, contact Jen Benson at jsbenson50@gmail.com. Learn more.

The Good Time Gals Concert at WAC
2023-08-18 19:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
The Winona Arts Center is pleased to present The Good Time Gals in concert on August 18, 2023 at 7 pm. Where good music and good times come together… “The Good Time Gals” is a fresh, fun, vintage group with modern sensibilities. Their playful and complex arrangements draw from old blues, hot club jazz, western swing, old country, and the popular music of the 20s, 30s, and 40s.
Music starts at 7 pm and the coffeehouse opens at 6 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Advance tickets are available at Hardt’s Music, 115 East 3rd St., or through Eventbrite.com. Learn more.

artsXchange: A Discussion of Foraged, Found and Recycled Art by Janet Marie Hillis
2023-08-17 18:30 - 20:00 | Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Minnesota Marine Art Museum | 800 Riverview Dr.
Register Here
The artsXchange program, a collaboration between River Arts Alliance (RAA) and the Minnesota Marine Art Museum (MMAM), continues on Thursday evening, August 17 with this discussion led by RAA member and driftwood artist Janet Marie Hillis.
What is foraged, found and recycled art? It is art that consists of items found in random places, existing in nature, and in items that can be recycled. During this discussion, Janet will present examples of inspirational installations that represent each of these art styles and how it has inspired her as an artist. Come be a part of this event and open your eyes to new possibilities.
This event is free to attend for members of RAA or MMAM, and included with museum admission for others. Registration is required, and space is limited to 25 attendees per program. Register here. Learn more here.

Sugarloaf Theatre Presents Snoopy! The Musical
2023-08-11 18:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
linktr.ee/sugarloaftheatre
If you’re looking for a wholesome, uplifting, energetic slice of live family entertainment for all ages, here’s your opportunity: Snoopy! The Musical presented by Sugarloaf Theatre. Buy tickets and learn more about Sugarloaf Theatre at linktr.ee/sugarloaftheatre. Mark your calendars now. The play can be enjoyed at the Winona Arts Center August 11 and 12 at 6 pm and August 13 at 2 pm. Sugarloaf Theatre’s goal in presenting Snoopy! The Musical is to spread joy, laughter and kindness throughout our beautiful river town, and what better way than through the beloved Peanuts’ characters cloaked in music and local talent. Learn more.

Opening Reception - Re-Visioning Winona: Art Show by Patrick Lichty at WCHC
2023-08-11 16:00 - 18:00 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona County History Center | 160 Johnson St.
winonahistory.org
Winona artist, Patrick Lichty, reimagines the sites around Winona through the machine lens in a new art show opening at the Winona County History Center August 11 with a reception 4:00 – 6:00 pm.
Winona is a historical town with a rich and storied history, from its life on the Mississippi River to its many cultures and industry. But how will it be seen in the future? In Re-Visioning Winona, Artist and WSU professor Patrick Lichty will use drawing machines, 3D laser scanning, and Artificial Intelligence to imagine how Winona might look through the machine lens. The exhibit will run through September 24. There will be a brief talk at 5 pm during the opening. Free and open to the public. Learn more.

InnerTuba Journey to Stop in Winona
2023-08-10 19:00 | Central Lutheran Church, 259 W Wabasha St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Central Lutheran Church | 259 W Wabasha St.
innertuba.org.uk
When InnerTuba’s founder Jon Hodkin was asked to describe the things he loves to do, he responded, “For me, the answer lies in 4 words, each one beginning with T. It’s all about my Tuba, my Tricycle, my Trailer, and my Travels with them.” On Thursday, August 10, 2023, Hodkin will bring his unique blend of music and storytelling to Central Lutheran’s Grace Hall beginning at 7 pm. Hodkin’s Mississippi River Tour ’23 began in New Orleans and will take him to the Headwaters near Bemidji. Learn more.

Watercolor Workshop with Jeff Nelson at Mississippi Mornings
2023-08-10 09:00 - 16:00 | Mississippi Mornings Art Studio, 40341 Lamoille Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Mississippi Mornings Art Studio | 40341 Lamoille Dr.
You asked for it – you got it: Jeff Nelson is coming back for another watercolor workshop “Fur & Feathers” at Mississippi Mornings Art Studio. The workshop will take place from 9 am to 4 pm each day for two days, August 10th and 11th, 2023, and the workshop fee is $225. The La Crosse Society of Arts & Crafts spring workshop with Jeff Nelson at Mississippi Mornings was a huge success…so much so that both participants and Jeff asked to come back for more. See a flyer with more photos here. Contact Linda Klabo by July 22 to register or for more information; email linda@mississippimornings.com or call 507-459-8021.

Winona Community Chorale - First Fall Rehearsal
2023-08-03 18:30 - 20:30 | First Congregational Church, 161 W Broadway St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Rehearsals on Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 pm, beginning August 3rd at First Congregational Church, 161 W Broadway, Winona. Fall/Halloween Concerts: October 27th & 28th.

The Winona Community Chorale is a mixed choral ensemble performing music from a wide variety of styles, genres and time periods. Our vision is to inspire a love and appreciation for exceptional choral singing in our area, and to ignite the joy and human connection it generates. New members welcome as we begin our second season! For more information, contact Kurt Speltz, Director, at WinonaCommunityChorale@gmail.com, or join “The Winona Community Chorale” group on Facebook.

RAA Art Schmooze during Mississippi Sippin
2023-08-03 17:00 - 19:00 | Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
UPDATE: Due to the heat, RAA will set up our information table for tonight’s Schmooze inside the atrium at MMAM. Look for us there! Food and beverages will be available for sale on the patio.

Minnesota Marine Art Museum | 800 Riverview Dr.
The next RAA Art Schmooze will be Thursday, August 3rd, on the riverwalk patio at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum during MMAM’s Mississippi Sippin event. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Our Schmoozes are informal and fun opportunities to connect with fellow RAA members and supporters and to learn more about the organization. Join us to find out more about upcoming RAA activities, including Family Art Day, artsXchanges, and Flora and Fauna – The Plein Air Experience, 2023, and how you can be involved.

Laureate Writers Series Presents Minnesota Poet Laureate Gwen Westerman
2023-08-01 19:00 | Blue Heron Coffeehouse, 162 W 2nd St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Blue Heron Coffeehouse | 162 W 2nd St.
Minnesota’s Poet Laureate Gwen Westerman will read from her work at the Blue Heron Coffeehouse on Tuesday, August 1st at 7 pm. Gwen Westerman is a Dakota educator, writer and fiber artist. She is a professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and the Director of the Native American Literature Symposium, as well as Director of the Humanities Program. She was appointed by Governor Tim Walz as Poet Laureate of Minnesota in September 2021, the first Indigenous poet to be so honored.
The reading is free and open to the public and will be followed by a book signing and an open mic. Please bring some of your work to share with us. This First Tuesday Laureate Writers Series event is co-sponsored by the Maria W. Faust Sonnet Contest and the Blue Heron Coffeehouse. Learn more.

Winona Dixieland Jazz Festival
2023-07-29 12:00 - 20:30 | The Crossings Center, 170 S Fremont St., Lewiston, MN, 55952, United States
The Crossings Center | 170 S Fremont St. | Lewiston
winonadixieland.webs.com
Come hear the Winona Dixieland Jazz Festival this Saturday at the Crossings Center, 170 S Fremont St. in Lewiston, MN from noon to 8:30 pm. The sensational lineup includes:
1. Seven Rivers Band, La Crosse, noon
2. Too Darn Hot Jazz Band, 1:45
3. Gate City Dixieland Band, Winona, 3:30
4. Dave Naylor and Mellow Fellows, Rochester, 5:15
5. Monroe Crossing (bluegrass), 7:00
An outstanding lineup for sure. No cover charge, just music and food and great music available.

Rock the Block Kickoff Party with H3O Jazz Trio
2023-07-28 18:00 - 21:00 | Peter’s Biergarten, 54 E 3rd St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Peter’s Biergarten | 54 E 3rd St.
H3OJazz.com
The Habitat Interfaith Committee is bringing Rock the Block back to Winona! Join us as we kick off this important event on Friday, July 28th from 6 pm to 9 pm at Peter’s Biergarten downtown! Invite your friends, family, and coworkers and support the vital work of affordable housing here in Winona. H3O Jazz Trio will be rocking the block from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Learn more.

Chill with Will - As You Like It
2023-07-28 12:00 | WSU DuFresne Performing Arts Center, 450 Johnson St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
WSU DuFresne Performing Arts Center | 450 Johnson St.
grsf.org/workshop
Students age 11-18 can enroll in a FREE workshop prior to each Friday afternoon Great River Shakespeare Festival performance. The festival’s education team will guide them through theater games and activities. Then the group attends the performance together! Past workshops have included backstage tours, narrated fight call, and text workshops.
Friday, July 28
Noon – Theater Workshop
1:00 – As You Like It
Visit grsf.coursestorm.com to register! Guardians wishing to accompany a student can purchase a discounted ticket for $20 by calling the GRSF office at 507-474-7900. Learn more.

Sandbar Storytelling Festival’s ‘Business and Immigrant Stories of Winona’ - Thern, Inc.
2023-07-27 19:00 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona County History Center | 160 Johnson St.
sandbarstorytellingfestival.org
Sharing the stories that have shaped Winona, the Sandbar Storytelling Festival, in partnership with the Winona County History Center, is continuing “Business and Immigrant Stories of Winona.” The July 27 event, featuring Thern, Inc., will be at 7 p.m. at the History Center, 160 Johnson St. Founded in Winona by the mechanically inclined Royal G. Thern and his wife, Lucille, during the post World War II boom, Thern Incorporated began with a handful of basic winches and other miscellaneous tools. More than 70 years later, Thern has built a solid reputation for manufacturing the most dependable, powerful, and durable solutions for moving loads of all sizes. As admission is free but limited, please register online at www.sandbarstorytellingfestival.org. Learn more here.

Book Launch – “REAP, a flora” by Mara Adamitz Scrupe
2023-07-22 15:00 - 17:00 | Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Minnesota Marine Art Museum | 800 Riverview Dr.
shipwrecktbooks.press
mmam.org
A book launch of “REAP, a flora” by Mara Adamitz Scrupe, published by Shipwreckt Books Publishing Company of Winona, will be held at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum on Saturday, July 22, 2023, from 3-5 p.m.
Mara Adamitz Scrupe, the author of six poetry collections, has won or been shortlisted for prestigious international awards including the National Poetry Society Competition (UK) and Aesthetica Poetry Prize (UK). She serves concurrently as Lance Williams Resident Artist in the Arts & Sciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, and Dean and Professor Emerita, School of Art, University of the Arts, Philadelphia. Learn more.

Opening Reception - Retrieval, a Journey through Art – Paintings by Julia Crozier
2023-07-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Blue Heron Coffeehouse, 162 W 2nd St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Blue Heron Coffeehouse | 162 W 2nd St.
blueheroncoffeehouse.com
Two years of creating art have come together for a new exhibit called “Retrieval,” by Julia Crozier. The drawings and paintings are mostly new and some “reworked work.” Road trips, hiking experiences and everyday living have inspired the work represented. Retrieval reflects past and current connections with land, cities and humanity’s relationship with the natural world. The exhibit is hosted by the Blue Heron Coffeehouse, Winona, Minnesota. It runs July 19-September 3. Opening reception is Friday, July 21, 6-8. An online gallery for the show is also available at Julia’s RAA member page at riverartsalliance.org/members/artists/julia-crozier/.

Chill with Will - The Winter's Tale
2023-07-21 12:00 | WSU DuFresne Performing Arts Center, 450 Johnson St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
WSU DuFresne Performing Arts Center | 450 Johnson St.
grsf.org/workshop
Students age 11-18 can enroll in a FREE workshop prior to each Friday afternoon Great River Shakespeare Festival performance. The festival’s education team will guide them through theater games and activities. Then the group attends the performance together! Past workshops have included backstage tours, narrated fight call, and text workshops.
Friday, July 21
Noon – Theater Workshop
1:00 – The Winter’s Tale
Visit grsf.coursestorm.com to register! Guardians wishing to accompany a student can purchase a discounted ticket for $20 by calling the GRSF office at 507-474-7900. Learn more.

artsXchange
2023-07-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
The artsXchange program will return on the 3rd Thursday of the month from July 2023 through April 2024. (Except for December, when it will take place on the 2nd Thursday.) Watch for more information to come.
Please fill out this form to register to attend Deep Dive: Anatomy of Courtney Mattison’s Undercurrent, an artsXchange discussion led by Anne Scott Plummer, taking place from 6:30-8:00 pm on Thursday, July 20 at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Drive, Winona.
This artsXchange event is free to attend for members of River Arts Alliance or of the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. For non-members, regular MMAM admission charges apply.

King’s Brass Present Free Concert at Central Lutheran
2023-07-18 19:00 | Central Lutheran Church, 259 W Wabasha St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Central Lutheran Church | 259 W Wabasha St.
Central Lutheran Church – Winona will host Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass for a free performance of hymn classics with a contemporary flair on July 18 at 7 pm. The King’s Brass features three trumpets, three trombones, a tuba, percussion, and keyboards. The instruments blend together to create a time of innovative worship that will be enjoyed by all generations. This exciting evening is open to all. A freewill offering will be taken to offset the group’s travel expenses. Learn more.
